"Interesting" - West Brom rationale weighed up after Ipswich Town agreement | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer tells FLW his verdict on Ipswich Town capturing the signing of Conor Townsend from West Brom

Carlton Palmer has claimed that he would have kept Conor Townsend at West Brom following his move to Ipswich Town.

Townsend has officially signed for the Tractor Boys ahead of their return to the Premier League.

According to TWTD, the fee agreed between the two clubs is worth £750,000.

The 31-year-old was with the Baggies since 2018, arriving from Scunthorpe United, and had been a regular presence in the side for most of that time.

He made 42 appearances in the regular Championship term last season, helping Albion finish fifth in the table (all stats from Fbref). He then featured twice in the play-offs.

Carlton Palmer gives Conor Townsend transfer verdict

Palmer believes that Townsend still had enough to offer to West Brom to justify keeping him instead of cashing in on Ipswich’s interest.

However, he feels that £750,000 for a 31-year-old could prove to be smart business if that can be reinvested back into improving Carlos Corberan’s side.

“Ipswich Town continue their spending spree on their return to the Premier League, and have signed Conor Townsend from West Bromwich Albion for a fee reported to be £750,000,” Palmer told Football League World.

“Kieran McKenna has been splashing the cash since their return to the Premier League.

“He’s been thought to be brought in as cover for Leif Davis, who ended the season as the Championship top assister, with 18.

“It’s an interesting one this one because, if you look at Conor’s record at West Brom in the previous two campaigns [prior to 2023/24], in 2021-22, Conor played 43 games in the Championship. The 2022-23 season, he played 46 games.

“So, given his age at 31, if he’s [maybe] not going to be playing regularly [at West Brom], and they can get £750k for him, that is good business.

“And it gives Carlos Corberan money to spend in other areas.

“I would’ve kept him, given he’s a very, very good player, given he’s a good player at Championship level. I would’ve kept him.

“But if he’s [planned] to not feature in the side, given his age and the size of the fee they’ve got for him, that could be seen as good business by Carlos Corberan.

“Let’s hope that West Brom don’t live to regret it, he’s a very durable and good player at that level.

“He’s gone to Ipswich Town as cover, and he’s not really going to play unless they get an injury.”

Townsend’s importance to West Brom

Townsend made 195 appearances in the league for West Brom during his time at the club, including 131 during their three years back in the Championship.

The full-back has been a key figure under Corberan, and helped the team come ninth and fifth under the Spaniard’s management.

He registered four assists last season, and has Premier League experience to add to the dressing room as well.

Townsend is the latest player to be sold this summer, with Okay Yokuslu having also made the switch to top flight football with Turkish outfit Trabzonspor.

Townsend could prove a smart signing for Ipswich

Ipswich have spent big in the last couple of months, bringing in players for expensive fees in order to prepare for life in the Premier League.

But the signing of Townsend could prove a smart and cheap way to improve the overall quality of their squad.

He will provide cover for Davis, who was outstanding in the Championship last season.

He also brings a lot of experience with him to Portman Road, which could be very valuable to have in McKenna’s side in their first year in the Premier League.